Few things in life are as enriching as the novelty of travel or the camaraderie among friends. At one of our Ryman villages, a group of travel enthusiasts have combined the two, to create the perfect blend of friendship and adventure.
It all began with a group of residents living in the village who liked to attend the theatre. The theatre trips then evolved into long lunches and winery tours before expanding into adventurous group holidays.
The chief organiser for the group is Marie. She laughs as she recalls how the group formed. “I’d say to people, 'is there somebody that you think might like to join us?' and it just developed like that.”
At the start of each expedition, Marie puts the word out to see who’s interested in an adventure. From there, planning begins. She has a knack for unearthing unique experiences and organising seamless itineraries. When the group was asked for a key travel tip, the consensus was clear. “Have someone like Marie!”
Travel made easy
The group members have discovered that living in the village makes travel so much easier. They can take off whenever they like, for as long as they like, without having to worry about security or home maintenance. Everything is taken care of in their absence, from mail collection to washing the windows and sprucing up the village grounds.
"It’s peace of mind; you just shut the door and go. You don't have to think, is the house OK?” says group member Maxine.
And when they’re on the road, they have the safety and security of their travel companions. There’s always someone there to share the experience, take photos, and reminisce with afterwards.
New friendships and new horizons to explore
Those who have lost loved ones or who have spouses in care have discovered additional benefits of being part of the travel group.
Maxine says, “I have the freedom to travel because I know my husband is well looked after and safe in care at the village. If you lose your husband or they go into care, you’re still part of a group, it’s just like having a big hug.”
With plenty of destinations to choose from and Marie at the helm unearthing hidden gems to explore, this group of travelers have a lot to look forward to.
Maree’s group travel tips and tricks
Explore vibrant Victoria
Now it’s the season of long, lazy days and warm summer nights, it’s the perfect time to hit the road and discover some new places to visit in the beautiful state of Victoria.
Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park, Castlemaine
Travel back to the 1850s and explore the mines and gullies of what was once the richest goldfield in the world. Castlemaine Diggings is a must-see for insight into the goldrush. Discover settlement life, the unique characters who lived there, and their incredible finds. It’s worth setting aside plenty of time to explore the Park’s fascinating landscapes and remains.
These feature huts, puddling machines, sluices, quartz roasting kilns, crushing sites, and burial grounds. That is, if you’re not too busy bushwalking, cycling, picnicking, or gold prospecting!
Tour de Murray to Mountains Small Group Weekend tour
Join this fully guided, fun weekend of easy cycling on the Murray to Mountains Rail Trail, where you can take in the highlights of the gorgeous Alpine Valley of Northeast Victoria.
Experience the gourmet delights of this stunning region, including amazing cellar door food, wine tastings and tutorials, and sample food straight from the farm. They have a range of bikes available to hire, including e-bikes.
Check out a show at the Melbourne Theatre Company
Visit the Melbourne Theatre Company to see stories come alive! For over 70 years, they have entertained audiences with more than 850 productions and an irresistible annual program of live performances.
Fallen Giants, Halls Gap
Planted on the eastern slopes of the Grampians in 1969, Fallen Giants features red clay loom soil dating back 380 million years. This vineyard invites visitors to stay awhile and enjoy its amazing views over the Grampians and grapevines. The cellar door offers wine tasting plus a playground for the kids. If your tasting turns into a purchase, picnics are encouraged with blankets provided to sit on and enjoy the wine with local produce.
by Christine McCurdy | Dec 10, 2024
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